1914 Cracker Jack #88 Christy Mathewson SGC Authentic

Those of us in the sports collectibles and memorabilia hobby tend to toss about superlatives much like songbirds toss about seeds in an open tray feeder; however, no superlative can do justice to one of the most coveted, rarely seen cards ever created, which just happens to feature the man many experts still proclaim to be the greatest pitcher of all-time. Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson.

One Of Baseball’s Most Prized Cards From One Of Baseball’s Most Prized Sets

Since Ruckenheim Brothers and Eckstein, makers of Cracker Jack in 1914, rolled out their inaugural set of baseball cards in 1914, the fragile cardboard classics adorned with colorful, early illustrations have captivated baseball fans and art enthusiasts alike. These relics from the early years of the 20th century represent tiny works of art, reflecting upon who we were as Americans and the esteem we held for our heroes of the baseball diamond.

Chief among those heroes was Christy Mathewson, winner of 373 games, baseball’s first true folk hero and the first pitcher to ever throw three shutouts during a World Series.

The 1914 Cracker Jack Mathewson, unlike other cards in the famed confectioner’s offering which featured identical visuals for both 1914 and 1915, depicted “Big Six” in a horizontal pitching pose for 1914 and a more standard “head shot” for 1915. Since the only way to obtain the 1914 cards were through the purchase of Cracker Jack (the 1915 set could be ordered in complete fashion through mail-order), the earlier Mathewson is extremely rare and ranks in the Top 10 in many polls listing the most popular or most wanted cards of all time.

The epic Mathewson pose for 1914 uses a primitive styling popular during the early part of the 20th century, with the ball still in the pitcher’s hand well past the point of release in real life. For Mathewson, the year this card was release, 1914, would be the final great season of an immortal career. Matty posted a 24-13 record over 41 games, but saw his ERA climb above 3.00 for the first time since his six game debut as a 19 year-old rookie in 1900.

A Rarity At Auction. A Rarity In Any Collection.

Here at Goodwin & Company, we admit the 1914 Mathewson stands tall as one of our all-time favorite cards. It’s steeped with the legend of Christy Mathewson and provides an innocent look at baseball in its early years, when it was America’s Favorite Pastime. For the advanced collector or investor, this card in any grade is a cornerstone acquisition.

To date, only 48 of these masterpieces have crossed the examination tables at both PSA and SGC. The 1914 Cracker Jack of Mathewson stands with cards of Joe Jackson and Ty Cobb from the Cracker Jack set among the top trophies of the hobby. If your collection or portfolio has reached advanced or elite status, be sure to bid early on this card and check in late. We’ll probably be up for quite some time monitoring

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